Clinical Assessment Course

A psychoanalytic approach in further developing core assessment practice

Course Aim

This psychoanalytic course has been developed for therapists of all modalities to support them in further development of their therapeutic skills as assessors, whether new to assessing or for clinicians wanting to further explore their assessment capacities. Assessment may be considered as the most challenging, yet fascinating function of therapeutic work. It is a complex and demanding task and yet there seems to be limited clinical training and writing in this field when compared with other areas of therapeutic intervention.

When undertaking an assessment the therapist needs to be able to evaluate models of mind; while simultaneously being aware of the patient’s risk and scope for therapeutic dialogue.

The therapist will also be aware of the subtle conscious and unconscious communications of the patient whilst at the same time, assessing their availability to relating, and noting their needs and concerns during the assessment interview. In addition to this the therapist is attempting to make contact with the most troubled aspects of the patient in the hope of being able to evaluate potential, and the capacity to engage with and tolerate psychological change.

General course information

Convenors: Elizabeth Richardson & Mary Chadwick

Fees: £240

Proposed Programme

12 May 2018

Session 1

An Overview of Assessment

Jan Wiener

Session 2

Moments of meeting that arise between self and other in the assessment process